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3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) I

H. B. MORRIS, S. R. TIfiDEL & F. LABAR.

MEUHANIGAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Patented May 31, 1887.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. B. MORRIS, S. R. TISDEL & P. LABAR. MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets+Sheet 3.

H. B. MORRIS, s. R. TISDEL & F. LABAR.

MECHANICAL MUSIGAL INSTRUMENT.

7 No. 363,841. Patented May 31, 1887.

N PETERS, Phnlo-Lilimgraphar, Walhinglon, l1 (2 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HEN B. MORRIS, SAMUEL R. TISDEL, AND FRED. LABAR, OF ITHAOA, NEWV YORK,ASSIGNORS TO THE AUTOPHONE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL IN STRUM ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi Letters Patent No. 363,841, dated May 31.1887.

Application filed So tembrr 21, 1986. Ser'al No. 214,152. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY B. MORRIS, SAMUEL B. Trsnnr, and FRED. LABAR,all citizens of the United States, residing at Ith aca, Tompkins county,in the State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements-in Mechanical Musical Instrumenis, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact d(scription, such as will enable oth- [O ersskilled in the art to which it appcrtainsto construct and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drmvings,which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to that class of meehanical musical instrumentsin which the music is produced by projections upon the surface of aslowly-turning cylinder, which projections, in revolving, actuate, inthe case of wind-instruments, the keys or valves controlling the passageof air through the reeds or I pipes, and in musical boxes the sonoroustongues.

The object of our invention is to provide means for causing such aninstrument to repeat its music without readjustment by the operator andalso to enable it to be played with the feet by means of a pedal. Thefirst-named object is effected by the employment of a music-cylinderupon which the projections are spirally arranged, the cylinder beingmade to movespirally as the tune is played by means of a malescrew,which screw is afterward releasedfromengagementwithitscorrespondingfemale, and then acts as a cam toforce the-cylinder away from the musickeys during its return to theplace of beginning. The performer is enabled to play the instrument withthe feet by meansiof a treadle and balance-wheel connected through themedium of a revolving shaft with a worm and worm-wheel by which thecylinder is revolved.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is ageneral view of the upper partof our improved instrument, the music-cylinder being removed, the betterto exhibit the working parts. Fig.

II is asectional side elevation of the whole in; struinent, the sectionbeing taken upon the dotted line a a, Fig. I. Fig. III is a frontelevation, partly in section, of the mechanism for operating themusic-cylinder, the section being taken on the dotted line bl), Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a: plan of the same parts of the instrument, themusic-cylinder being removed; and Fig. V is a detail in side elevation,showing the position of the nialc screw during the return of ihemusic-cylinder.

The various working-parts of the instrument are mounted in and upon acase, A, whose horizontal section is rectangular. The top of said caseis partly covered by the hori- 6o zontal board B, which we call theactionboard. The remaining portion of the top of the case is covered bythe key-board O, which is inclined at an angle of about thirty degreesfrom a vertical plane, and by the horizontal top board, D. The endsofthecase are made to conform in shape to the position of the boards B,G, and D.

Within the case, at the back side thereof, is situated a wind-trunk, E,by which the wind is conveyed from the pumping-bellows F to thereceiving-bellows G. Said receivingbellows is attached partly to theunder side of the action-board B and partly to cleats fixed upon theinside of the case. The receiving-bellows 7 expands downwardly, thepressure of air being regulated by springs G. The pumping-bellows F isattached to the lower side of the stationary horizontal board F. Themusic-reeds H are mounted in a reed-board, II, attached to the rear sideof the key-board O, which is pierced with holes corresponding with thechambers in the rced-board.

We will now describe the mechanism immediately connected with themusic-cylinder. To 8 the action-board B and key-board Gis rigidlyattached a piece of metal, I, to be known as the key-frame. The middleportion of said key-frame is straight, its lower sides conforming to theboards B and 0. Two arms, I 1 are formed upon the key-frame at aconvenient distance apart, proj ecti n g up wardl y at the same angle asthe key-board 0, upon which said arms rest. The key-frame I is benthorizontally at its ends at right angles, thus forming two hori- 5zontal arms, I 1 which arms rest upon the action-board B. Upon thehorizontal arm I is formed a projection, I, which extends upwardly, andwill be further described.

K K are the music-keys, formed of metal. roe

The upper portion of each key is arranged to cover a correspondingreed-hole in the keyboard, and the opposite ends of the kcysare formedinto narrow tongues, bent upwardly, so as to be acted uponby theprojections upon the music-cylinder. The keys are pivoted near theircenters upon a straight rod, K, whose ends are supported by passingthrough holesin the arms 1 1. of the key-frame. Said keys are keptnormally closed by means of springs K".

The inusiecylinder J is supported upon a partof theinstrument which wecall the cylinder-frame. Said cylinder-frame consists of a straight barof metal, L, upon which are formed, at or near one end, two similarparallel upright projections, L L At the opposite end of said bar isformed an upright bifurcated projection, L. The cylinder-frame ispivoted horizontally at the ends of the bar L, between the arms 1" and lof the key-frame, so that said cylinder-frame inay be oscillated uponits pivotal bearings.

M is a shaft journaled horizontally in the upper part of the projectionsL If of the cyl inderframe. Between said parts L and L a sleeve, M, ismounted upon the shaft M, said sleeve being provided with a feather,which engages with a longitudinal groove in said shaft, so that thesleeve will revolve with the shaft, at the same time leaving the shaftfree to movelongitudinally to and fro through the sleeve and through itshearings in L and L". A worm-wheel, M", is rigidly attached to sleeve M.Adriving-arm, M, is rigidly attached to the shaft M, near the end ofsaid shaft adjoining the bearing in L Said driving-arm is provided witha short projecting pin, M, parallel with shaft M.

In the two upper parts of the bifurcated projection L" of thecylinder-frame is journaled a shaft,N,opposite to and in line with theshaft M just described. Said shaft N is provided with two short pins, NN, which pass through it, projecting at each side, the pin N beingplaced near the inner end of the shaft and N between the bearings. Acoiled spring, N, encircles the shaft, pressing against pin i 2 and theouter bearing-piece, so as to force the shaft N longitudinally towardthe shaft M. A disk, N, or other equivalent device, is attached to theouter end. of shaft N, whereby it may be pulled backward against thepressure of the spring N. i

The musiccylinder J is pierced with two central holes in its ends and asingle ecceir tric hole in one end corresponding with the eccentricposition of the pin M \Vhen a cylinder is to be placed in theinstrument, the shaft N is retracted and the holes in one end of thecylinder placed upon the pin M and the projecting end of the shaft M.Then the shaft N, being released, enters the central hole in the end ofthe cylinder adjoining it, pressing said cylinder through the medium ofthe pin N, toward the shaft M.

From the above description it is plain that the music-cylinder,supported upon the shafts M and N, can be readily moved laterally towardand from thekeys Kby the oscillation of the cylinder-frame upon itspivots. Said cylinder and said shafts can be revolved and can also movelongitudinally for a short distance.

Upon the outer end of the shaft M is rigidly mounted alefthandratchetthread malescrew, M", which engages with a correspondingmutilated female screw, 1 formed upon the upper portion of theprojecting standard 1 of the key-frame. Said male and female screws areso arranged that when the male screw llP is brought into engagement withthe female by oscillating the cylimler-frame the musiecylinder shall beat the proper distance from the keys for playing upon them. Themusic-cylinder is retained in this position while a tune is being playedby means of a hook, M9, formed of a flat piece of metal pivoted at itsrear end to the upper part of the projection 1 and arranged to oscillatevertically below the shaft M. Said hook is caused to press upwardly bymeans of a coiled spring, M. attached to the hook and to the standard l.The inner curved portion of the hook M" is fitted to the shaft M, whichit normally embraces. When said hook is depressed, said shaft isreleased from it, and the cylimler-frame may then beoscillated,asabovedescribed. Theouterextremity, M, of the hook isprolonged upwardly, preferably at an angle of about thirty degrees froma vertical line, so that .when said hook has been depressed and shaft Mreleased the hook shall draw itself by its upward pressure into gearagain. with said shaft M, the inclined prolonged portion M of said hookoperating to draw shaft M back to its normal position. M is a pinrigidly attached to the shaft M, and projecting radially therefrom. Theouter portion of said pin is bent at a right angle, the bent portionbeing parallel with shaft M. Said pin M" is employed to depress the hookM at the proper time, as will be hereinafter described.

A rotary motion imparted to the shaft M by means of a worm, 0, fixedupon the horizontal revolving shaft I, said worm. engaging with thewornrwheel M". Said shaft 1; is dis posed perpemlicularly to the shaftM, and is journaled in a standard, 1?, mounted upon the action-board B.A crank, l, is formed in shaft 1, whereby the puinpingbellows F isoperated through the medium of the connecting-rod 1?.

The shaft P passes through the wind-chest of the instrument, beingsuitably packed to prevent the escape ofair, and is prolonged be yondthe rear side of the case, in which it is journaled. Said shaft isactuated by a pulley, 1 attached thereto at the back side of the ease,and driven,through the medium ofa band, P, by a pulley, 1t, attached toa horizontal. shaft, It, situated in the lower part of the case of theinstrument. Said shaft It is parallel with shaft I, and is actuated bythe trcadleS through the medium of a connecting-rod, S, and crank It. Atlywhce], t", is mounted upon the shaft R to insure continuous rotarymot-ion.

ICC

The music-cylinder J is provided with radial projections J for actuatingthe keys K, said projections being disposed along the convolutions of aspiral line. Thepitch of saidspiral is the same as that of the screw MWhen a music-cylinder is placed in the instrument and the working partsare operated, a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft M andmusic-cylinder by the means above described, said shaft Mbeing embracedby the hook M so that the music-cylinder is thereby retained at theproper distance from the keys K and the ratchet-screw IVP is retained inengagement with its corresponding mutilated female screw 1 The operationof said screw M results in a spiral movement of the music-cylinder, andsince the projections J upon the surface of said cylinder are arrangedupon a spiral line of the same pitch as screw M, said projections J arekept in proper longitudinal position for operating their appropriatekeys. In this way the cylinder may be made to perform any predeterminednumber of spiral revolutions during the playing of the music arrangedupon it, the keys K being separated from one another by ardistance equalto the pitch of the screw M multiplied by the number of revolutionsthat'the cylinder is arranged to make.

XVhen the music-cylinder has completed its last revolution, the bent pinM", having been advanced spirally toward the hook M ,'strikes the upperside of said hook near its fulcrum, thereby depressing said hook farenough to release theshaft M. The cylinder frame L is now free tooscillate, and the spring-pressure of the shaft N against themusic-cylinder causes said cylinder, and with it the shaft M, to retreatlongitudinally to their original position.

It is very important that when the music-cylinder retreats theprojections J upon its surface shall not strike the keys K. Themusic'cylinder is therefore withdrawn laterally out of reach of saidkeys by the oscillation of the cylinder-frame L. This oscillatingmovement is effected by the action of the inclined flanks of the threadsof the ratchet-screw M upon the corresponding inclined flanks of thestationmy female threads 1 said threads in disengaging acting upon oneanother as cams or inclined planes, to impart a lateral movement to theshaft M and its connections at the beginning of its retreat. j

The music-cylinder is prevented from retreating too far by thedriving-arm M striking the projection L of the cylinder-frame.

As soon as the retreat of the music-cylinder, above described, has beeneffected, said cylinder and its connections are immediately returned totheir normal position by the upward pressure oft-he hook M, which, bymeans ofits inclined surface M gathers the shaft M into re engagementwith said hook. In this manner, as will be readily seen, the tune may berepeated and the performance continued as long as desired without anyreadjustment of the working parts by the operator. When achange of tuneis desired, the music-cylinder is removed and another substituted in itsplace.

The ratchetshaped threads of the screw M have one flank inclined atabout the usual angle of vthreads, the opposite flank being like that ofa square thread. this construction is to make the threads as deep aspossible, thereby causingfa greater oscillation of the cylinder-framethan would be the case if threads of equal pitch were used of theordinary V shape, since the latter would be only one-half the depth of aratchet-shaped thread of the same inclination and pitch.

In most musical instruments which are played by projections uponarevolving cylinder, said cylinder is made to revolve in a plane, andperiodically moved lengthwise by a cam or other equivalent device. Thisarrangement makes it necessary to leave a blank space upon that portionof the cylinder which adjoins the keys when the lengthwise movement ismade. Consequently, it is necessary in such instruments,-that the tunesshall be very short, embracing only one turn of the cylinder, becausethere must be an interruption of the music while the cylinder is movedlengthwise. I11 instruments played by a The object of spirally-revolvingcylinder these frequent interruptions do not occur, since the music iscontinuous through several revolutions; but in all spirally-playinginstruments heretofore made the musiceylinder ad vanees and retreats inthe same axialline. It is therefore necessary to move all the keysthemselves out of reach of the cylinder/during its retreat by levers orother devices requiring special manipulation. It will readily be seenthat both the disadvantages above named are overcome by ourirnprovedconstruction, which results in automatically moving the cylinderlaterally out of reach of the keys during its retreat.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is- Y 1. In a mechanical musical instrument,in combination with the musickeys of said instru ment,aspirally-revolving music-cylinder, said music-cylinder being'arrangedto operate said keys during its spiral advance and to be moved laterallyaway from said keys during its retreat, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

2. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with theoscillating cylinderframe L, the shafts M N, said shafts being journaledupon said cylinder-frame and arranged to operate substantially as andfor thepurposes described.

8. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with the shaft M,the sleeve M and worm-wheel M constructed and arranged to operatesubstantiallyas set forth. I

4:. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with theoscillating cylinderframe, sleeve M,and worm-wheel M", the worm IIO Oand shaft 1, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

5. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with the shaft M,journaled upon the oscillating cylindcnframe L, the screw M rigidlyattached to said shaft, substantially as described.

6. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with the shaft M,journalcd upon the oscillating cylinder-frame L, and screw M", rigidlyattached to said shaft, the stationary mutilated female screw 1 saidparts being constructed and arranged to operate sub stantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

7. In a mechanical musicalinstrument, the combination, substantially asbefore set forth, of the oscillating cylinder-frame L, shafts M and N,iournaled upon said cylinder-frame, screw M", and mutilated female screw1, with the n'iusic'cylinder J, projections J upon the surface of saidmusic-cylinder, and keys K, said parts being constructed and arrangedwith reference to each other substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

8. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with theoscillating cylinderframe L, shaft M, journaled upon saidcylinder-frame, screw M', and mutilated female screw 1 the hook M,constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

9. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with theoscillating cylinderframe L, shaft M, j ournaled upon said cylinderfraine, screw M mutilated female screw 1, and hook M, the pin M,rigidly attached to the shaft M, said parts being arranged withreference to each other substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with theoscillating cylinderframe L, shafts M and N, journaled upon saidcyliiuler-framc, spring N, screw M", mutilated female screw 1 and hookM, the musiccylhr der J, projections J upon said music-cylinder, andkeys K, said parts being arranged with reference to each othersubstantially as and for the purposes described.

11. In a mechanical musical instrument, in combination with themusiccylinder J, d riverarm M, shaft M, worm-wheel M, worm O, and shaft1, the shaft R, lly wheel It", crank R, connecting-rod S, treadle S, andmeans, actuated by said shaft R, for imparting motion to said shaft P,substantially as-and for the purposes described.

HENRY B. MORRIS. SAMUEL t. TISDEL. FRED. LABA'R.

Witnesses:

W. D. CLINTON, W. 1). Heather.

